"FOURCÈS" Fourcès by Lady_Mystique

Fourcès Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 7 photos

Have a Good Look a-Round

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Located between Bordeaux and Toulouse, this charming village lies in the heart of Gascony and occupies a naturally fortified site in a bend of the Auzoue river.
The great medieval power blocs of Aquitaine and Toulouse dominated this locality and Fourcès frequently changed masters.
Its troubles were further compounded by wandering bands of mercenaries who, when unemployed by the major powers, turned to looting. (Sound familiar ??)

The village in its present form encircles a central wooded area; however, in early medieval times a grande Chateau, occupied this central space and would have been surrounded by a moat. The village as it is today, grew around the moat to service the Chateau.
It is recorded that at the begining of the first millenium 1086 the Seigneure of Fourcès had the right to raise taxes, to form an army, to have a judiciary and to exert vassalage, but its fortunes declined and by the end of the century the ruling family had become involved in an abortive revolt against powerful Aquitaine.

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Brigitte de Forcès

In 1279,the Treaty of Amiens passed the village into the hands of the English King Edward 1st and the Seigneurs of Fourcès swore allegiance to him.

This was to last throughout the "Hundred Years War" until 1352, when the village reverted to the French crown and eventually , in the late18th century, to the Republic.

In 1488 Charles V11, King of France, ordered the original Chateau to be destroyed for a "crime of felony" by the Seignuere.
The present Chateau was built later the same century on a new site at the edge of the village.

One view of the Chateau

More recent events include 'Resistance' activity during 1939 to 1944 , to which many roadside graves attest .

Not far from Fourcès, the resistance network of Hilaire and Buckmaster was formed , its main purpose to distract a German Panzer division from reinforcing the Normandy front .

Also at that time a route for escaping allied aircrew passed close to the village, the 'Auberge' (a small restaurant/bar in the centre of town) provided refuge for many during these years, exposing the villagers to great risk.

Intro Updated Nov 15, 2004
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Reviews (3)

Quaint; slightly run-down, but... Restaurants (1)

"It was in November of this year that some of the villagers of Fources became members of the “Active Resistance”, their... more travel advice

Fourcès to the right at the entrance to the town - Fourcès

Walk A-Round Favorites (1)

The best way to "get aROUND" Fourcès is to, literally, walk a ROUND!! It is a small village and formed in a most... more travel advice

Stay In A Chateau !!! Hotels (1)

This is a castle reshaped over the centuries and yet at the same time intimate and magnificent. I really had a good... more travel advice

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Comments (4)

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gilabrand Apr 26, 2007 at 11:57 PM

Oooh, staying at a chateau sounds divine.
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Toyin Jan 13, 2005 at 2:30 PM

Nice tips, excellent pictures, thanks for sharing.
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Queen_of_Hearts Nov 29, 2004 at 1:25 PM

I really MUST get aROUND to visiting this charming village!! ;~)
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Maillekeukeul Nov 18, 2004 at 12:47 PM

Splendid pics... It looks like I have sooo many places to visit in my own country, that I will never have enough time to travel abroad !!!